Former Turkish Cathedral Hagia Sophia May Become a Mosque

(Photo: Arild Vågen/ Wikimedia Commons)

The imposing structure of Hagia Sophia, located in Istanbul, Turkey. The building began as an Orthodox Christian cathedral, was converted to a mosque in the 15th century, and was then made into a museum in the 1930s.

Members of the government of the Republic of Turkey have expressed consideration in turning a notable landmark that was once a church into a mosque.

Hagia Sophia, originally built as a cathedral and presently a museum, may be turned into a mosque, recently commented Turkey's Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc.

"We are looking at a sad Hagia Sophia, but hopefully we will see it smiling again soon," said Arinc regarding the possible change.

Such a possible move has garnered controversy both within Turkey and internationally, as many believe such a decision could put the country at odds with its generations of secular pluralistic tradition.

Lale Iskarpatyoti, president of the Turkish American Friendship Society of US (TAFSUS), told The Christian Post that she personally believed it should remain a museum.

Speaking for herself, Iskarpatyoti feels that Hagia Sophia is "a testament to Turkish people's tolerance and respect for other religions."

"As we all know, there are religious fanatics in every country; however, most Turks are very open to other cultures and religions," said Iskarpatyoti.

"By keeping Hagia Sophia open as a museum, Turkey should continue to set an example for interfaith tolerance to all other countries and religions around the world."

Hagia Sophia was constructed in the sixth century under the reign of Emperor Justinian I, being placed in the capital of the Byzantine Empire, Constantinople.

For nearly a thousand years Hagia Sophia stood as a symbol of Eastern Orthodox Christianity, as well as the power and influence of the Byzantines.

In 1453, the Christian empire fell to the invading Turks, whose ruler, Mehmed II, converted the church into a mosque. Hagia Sophia fulfilled this purpose under the Ottoman Empire up until the twentieth century.

Under the secularizing rule of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk and the rise of the Republic, Hagia Sophia was turned into a museum, which is its present function.

Istar Gozaydin, professor at Dogus University in Istanbul, told VOA News that she believed the announcement about the possible change was politically driven.